Widespread Panic confirms member's illness

Posted: Wednesday, July 17, 2002

By Julie Phillips Jordanjphillips@onlineathens.com

An announcement Tuesday on the Widespread Panic Web site, www.widespreadpanic.com, confirmed what fans of the Athens-based band had feared most. Vocalist/guitarist Michael Houser, known affectionately as Mikey, explained in a brief statement he has "contracted a terminal form of cancer."

The band made an announcement last week that Houser was currently off the summer tour due to health reasons. It was cause for further speculation among fans who keep close tabs on the band, sharing set lists and details from shows and other various information via the Internet. Rumors had been circulating for some months regarding Houser's condition.

Houser is a founding member of the band, alongside vocalist/guitarist John Bell and bassist Dave Schools.

The trio played their first show in 1985, taking their name from Houser's then-nickname, "Panic." Drummer Todd Nance and percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz soon joined the band, and the current lineup was completed in 1992 when keyboardist/vocalist John "JoJo" Hermann joined.

In Athens, friends said they were saddened by the news of Houser's illness.

Tim Johnson, director of Community Connection, said Widespread Panic has contributed financially to the clearinghouse agency, sponsored events like Taste of Athens (an opportunity to sample foods from various restaurants and raise money for charitable causes)), and have donated items to auctions, among other support efforts.

"(Houser), like all the members of the band, has been really supportive of this community, and the community loves him right back. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and friends," said Johnson.

He added that, "(At Community Connection) everybody's sad ..."

Kyle Pilgrim, owner of the Georgia Theatre, worked at the Uptown Lounge in the 1980s, a club the band frequently played in their early years.

"(Houser's) just an incredible human being, a wonderful person ... and when you hear something like this ... my heart breaks, for him, for his family, the band, everyone. I love the guy and hope the best for him. We're behind him 100 percent," Pilgrim said.

Former Athens-Clarke Mayor Gwen O'Looney, who was in office when the band threw a free outdoor concert in downtown Athens in April 1998 attracting tens of thousands of fans to the streets of the Classic City, echoed others' grief.

"But," O'Looney added, "he's doing a wonderful job as an inspiration to us all, showing us by his example the important things in life. I think his letter (on the Web site) says it all. Our prayers are with him, and we should all be inspired by him."

On a listserv for the band, fans also expressed their grief over the news and shared thoughts about Houser.

"Mikey's lyrics are the kind that I cherish and admire so much," noted one fan. "They always seem to sum up and resolve complex situations in a few simple words ... the most fitting being `where there is love, there is hope.' ... I just hope Mikey knows how many souls this unique ability has allowed him to touch and change for the better ... talk about having a positive impact on others during a lifetime ... and to do it so humbly. He should be an example to us all."

The band has released no further information, but is scheduled to continue its summer tour. The latest Widespread album, "Live in the Classic City," a three-disc set recorded in April 2000 at the Classic Center in Athens, was released in June.

Staff writer Mary Jessica Hammes contributed to this report.

TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Widespread Panic community, and dear friends, Mikey here, with some thoughts and facts for you.

As some of you know, I have contracted a terminal form of cancer. I want to assure all of you that all that can be done has been done, and I want to thank all of you who have contributed information, medicine, and so on.

As for me, I am at my home in Athens, GA, surrounded by my family, and being well taken care of.

In the words of Lou Gehrig `Though some of you may have thought I have caught a bad break, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.'

Between my best friends, J.B., Todd, Sunny, Dave and JoJo, and you, our friends, and best support group in the world, I feel strong and well taken care of.

I have hopes of playing again soon, although I can't say for sure when or where, and I hope to see you all there.